Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Science at @VTSPES. Follow our program: @VTTurfgrass. Education Chair of @VirginiaSFMA. Proud @UArkansas Alum 🎓 #WPS🐗
Joined September 2015
- Tweets1.9K
- Following1.5K
- Followers1.8K
- Likes16.5K
THANK YOU Brookwoods GC ⛳️, and @VTCALS alum Robert Friend, for donating this @ToroGolf Greens Aerator for #turfgrass research.
Thanks for having me on @MegKruger_! I've really enjoyed listening to the #GroundskeeperChats over the years, and learning about the terrific work @FieldExperts members (and many @VTTurfgrass alumni) are doing at their facilities.
Our final Fort Worth recording is here! Dan Sandor helped us close out our show and we definitely saved one of the best for last!
Tune in for @VTTurfTeaching #GroundskeeperChats!
Spotify: bit.ly/4bH0Tbg
Apple: bit.ly/4gzpylD
5
484
A GREAT DAY engaging with Ag-Ed teachers at the VAAE conference. THANK YOU @TurfGenerals for hosting our #Turfgrass Science Bootcamp at WLU.
@VTTurfgrass is PROUD to continue supporting the growth of @VirginiaCTE Turfgrass-Mgt. courses in high schools across the Commonwealth!
Washington & Lee & @TurfGenerals are hosting this morning's VA Assoc of AG Educators turf science workshop. Great Q/A & exchanges w/ some awesome high school educators that the @VTTurfgrass Team looks forward to collaborating w/ in HS student education in the future. #vaturf
👀...
Many thanks to @CarolinaGreenCo and @VT_groundscrew for an install of some Game-On-Grass at the @VTTurfgrass Research Center. We'll put it to use very soon! #vaturf
A RECORD-BREAKING 40 students competed in the #Turfgrass Management CDE this week at the 2026 @VirginiaFFA Convention🥳 Our number of participants continue to grow - some future @VTTurfgrass Hokies for sure! CONGRATS TO ALL 🙌 (Top-3 Chapter & Individual below⤵️)
Chapters:
🥇@AtleeFFA
🥈Rustburg HS
🥉Madison County FFA
Individual:
🥇Eden Culley (Atlee)
🥈Ethan Brock (@BrentsvilleFFA)
🥉Logan Fisher (Rustburg HS)
1
185
THANK YOU @SBallAgronomy & @LeePrice_Turf for connecting with the @VTTurfgrass Club to speak about the career transition from Assistant to Superintendent⛳️
You never know when your #opportunity is going to come!
"If you don't scout - YOU ARE BLIND!" ... Appreciate the pearls of wisdom from Dr. @lejodelpozo in this morning's capstone course for @VTTurfgrass seniors.
Come join our team!
The @VTTurfgrass team is looking for its newest team member to serve in the role as the @vtspes Turfgrass Research Center Manager. The job description and particulars on completing a job application can be found here: jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/turfg… #vaturf
Final stop was @CCPSCCHS for the @VirginiaFFA Central Area Rally. Connected with HUNDREDS of young folks to highlight careers in @GCSAA, @FieldExperts, @TPITurfTalk, & #lawn care; and share opportunities in our @VTTurfgrass degree programs for these (hopefully) future #Hokies!
Stop #2 is a first-time visit to King William HS to meet with Howard Hill and the Cavaliers. I really enjoyed connecting with so many students who are interested in fabrication, mechanics, robotics, & technology - now they know there’s many opportunities ahead for them in #Turf!
Time to visit my Virginia schools with #Turfgrass CTEs. First stop is Louisa Co. HS to reconnect with @VTTurfgrass alum Logan Horne and the Jungle Turf Crew. Logan’s one of the best at leading & teaching young folks - the #JTC manages nearly all the @LCPSchools athletic fields 💪
Started a new trial with freshman Sophia Vranich, on using a low-input approach for establishing cold-tolerant bermudagrass & zoysiagrass varieties via dormant seeding. This study is funded through a @FralinLifeSci research fellowship she earned👏 Welcome to @VTTurfgrass Sophia!
… and THANK YOU to @BrilmanLeah (@DLFUSA), @Adam_Russell5 (@MVPGenetics), and @CRoseFricker (@PureSeed_RPMS) for supporting this research 🙌
THANK YOU @VTTurfgrass alum @TurfHokie, for speaking with our seniors on Equipment Leasing & Purchasing, Working with Dealers and Vendors, and also highlighting some the changes & challenges ahead in the turf-equipment industry. #Hokies🦃
Good times in Orlando with eight of our #Turfgrass Club members competing in the Collegiate Turf Bowl at the 2026 @GCSAAConference. I’ve enjoyed connecting these guys with our many @VTTurfgrass alumni and supporters of #Hokie Nation!
Very proud of @VTTurfgrass students Tyler Hordych, Chas Dibbern, @DHens_2, & Brady Pollard representing our program in the @FieldExperts 2026 Student Challenge. And a BIG THANK YOU to @VirginiaSFMA for their generous support of our students in this industry opportunity!
Another semester of CSES 2564 is in the books! @VTSPES students worked hard and had fun in establishing & nurturing their #turfgrass baby and learning the challenges of being a #PlantParent - including: drops & spills, forgetting to water, hungry cats, and a even a theft 😂😭
18
422
HOW COOL IS THIS??!! Former @HokiesWSoccer player turned #turfgrass scientist, now helping future student athletes stay safe on the pitch! Can’t wait to learn what @AvaVeith will share - her findings will have significant impacts for players, coaches, trainers, & field managers!
Please join us next week as Ava Veith presents her master’s research, which includes three integrated projects exploring how variability in athletic field conditions affects surface performance and athlete response. Register now: vsfma.starchapter.com/meetin…
Tuesday nights are for #Turfgrass Club! Students took their 3rd Turf + Pest ID exam to prepare for the 2026 @FieldExperts & @GCSAA conferences. Members earn the opportunity to represent @VTTurfgrass at the competitions by demonstrating their knowledge of the study-guide material.
AN AWESOME DAY at @VT_ICAT’s Science Festival with @VATurf & @WillColeRSTurf. We connected with thousands of attendees sharing the #Science of Sports Field Management. The #Turf Baby kits were quite a smash, and many attendees found their most fun using the old push reel mower …
... I hope these young folks will always remember today. It was so fantastic to highlight the many opportunities in the #turf industry with so many girls (cc: @womeninturfteam) and other underrepresented groups; hopefully they’ll all be @VTTurfgrass students in the future!
#Turfgrass Club Tuesday! Students welcomed @USGAGrnSection Sr. Director of Course Consulting & @VTTurfgrass alum, Dr. @JordanCBooth, and agronomist @GietkaCGCS to highlight the @USGA’s education & #research efforts for advancing the science & sustainability of #golf course mgt.⛳️
